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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us February 16, 2006 Hurricane Katrina left a path of devastation throughout the Gulf Coast, as evidenced by these boats, left in a pile on dry land. Fred Stockwell | For the Tidings ‘Jambalaya’ brings needed relief Saturday bash will raise money for local resident’s troubled family in the Big Easy By Alan Panebaker Ashland Daily Tidings As a devastated New Orleans prepares to celebrate its most notorious holiday, some Ashland locals are joining the party to realize the horror of Hurricane Katrina and help out the family of a local friend. Saturday at the Historic Ashland Armory will be “Jambalaya,” a benefit for Ashland YMCA Membership Director Leroi DeDeaux’s family. The event is a mixture of celebrating New Orleans spirit and raising awareness of the lingering devastation for those in the city. Live jazz and blues, food, video presentations and a photography exhibit are planned, but the event is focuses helping those who remain in the hurricane-ravaged area. Ran Hansen, co-owner of Gold & Gems in Ashland, organized the event and hopes the focus will remain on assisting the family of a friend in need rather than dwelling on recent political outrage against the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President George W. Bush. “I’m doing this as a humanitarian event rather than a political statement,” Hansen said. “I’m doing this for my friend Leroi.” A long-time friend of DeDeaux’s, Hansen heard about his friend’s journey back to his home in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and his family’s struggle to regain a decent living situation in the wreckage. “I’ve known him (DeDeaux) for 25 years and thought he was a super guy,” Hansen said. “He’s always Mr. Positive and up, and when I saw him, he was flat as a pancake.” So Hansen gathered talented volunteers to throw a huge Mardi Gras party to benefit DeDeaux’s family. He pooled as many local musicians, business owners and other artists together to create an event that will hopefully bring some comfort to DeDeaux’s immediate and extended family in the Ninth Ward. “If something like this ever happened to me, I hope the community would come together to help me out,” Hansen said. Along with Town and Country Chevrolet’s contribution of a venue and Porter’s, Tabu and Gepetto’s donating food, Hansen compiled a list of sponsors too long to mention. Ty Sullivan, who owns both Ashland Dutch Bros locations, is donating all sales on Feb. 20 to the cause. Sullivan said when he found out about DeDeaux’s situation from Hansen, he thought about what he could contribute. “It’s one way we can help out,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully the community can come through and get an extra cup of coffee.” Meanwhile, DeDeaux has been shoved into the local spotlight over recent print and television press. Reluctant to talk about the situation but gracious for the benefit, DeDeaux said, “I don’t need the notoriety. My family does. The more I talk about it, the more it takes over my life.” Local photographer Fred Stockwell, who took aerial photos of the wreckage of Hurricane Katrina at the beginning of October, will also showcase his photography at the event. A world-traveling photographer who specializes in aerial shots said the benefit is finally a chance for him to show people devastation other than the repetitive blurbs they are exposed to on national television. “This is my chance to show these images and get a feedback or response,” Stockwell said. Saturday’s benefit will begin at 7 p.m. at the armory with live jazz. Blues-rock music will follow from 8 to 10, with the party ending at 11. The minimum entry fee will be $20, but attendees are encouraged to donate more if possible. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams